Nose initially okay...of lychee and smelled suppled....taste was completely unbalanced. I got hit with fruit, and separately a saltiness and separately a high alcohol sense at which point a bitterness came through....argh....this one meet the ocean really quickly... Did I hold onto this one too long?

I don't think it's a matter of age. Suggest you buy a Trimbach Gewurztraminer--easily found and sometimes available in the half bottle size so you wouldn't be spending much to try one. Trimbach is a reliable producer and one I like (although I seek out gewurz with even more of the spicy characteristics).